Interesting experience juxtaposing this wine after the wonderful 1996 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi from yesterday. One takeaway is not to open anything from Piemonte younger than 2000 vintage :-D This may be too much of generalization, however recent experiences with 2001 vintage Barolo and 2003 Barbaresco indicate that the 2000 vintage and older make for much more satisfying drinking at this point in time.
Opened the '03 Rabaja 2 hours ahead of dinner and decanted. Initial flavor profile is quite tart compared to the voluptuousness of the '96 Brich Ronchi. Alc. 14.5%, deep ruby color. Nose is actually forthcoming with floral notes, but the wine seems way too young on the palate.
Took to dinner at a restaurant and decanted. Fruit has opened up slightly but the wine is still tight. Nice acidity, tar and minerals. I'd take a another look at this wine five years.
Of the Barbaresco I have enjoyed over the past year (Sottimano, Elia Pasquero, Elvio Pertinace, Bruno Rocca, Cortese), the '96 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi is my favorite with the '98 Elia Pasquero Sori Paitin coming in a very close second. The Brich Ronchi and the Sori Patin are two different styles... the Brich Ronchi is the elegant jazz artist and the Sori Paitin is the rock & roller.
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